Awashima Shrine in Japan is different to the many other shrines which are dotted around the country. Known as the shrine of memorial dolls (which have been given as offerings), women make pilgrimages to the site to pray for female matters such as fertility and childbirth. The shrine is famous throughout the land for its many dolls and one in particular is said to have hair that actually grows. Creepy! The place also has a strange energy which is difficult to explain – a presence almost. In addition to the dolls, there are masks, bears, lucky cats, stuffed animals and more however the mysterious doll with the growing hair is kept from public view. Check out the photos below to see this amazing place.
![entrance shrine](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/entrance-shrine.jpg)
![close up entrance shrine](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/close-up-entrance-shrine.jpg)
![red shrine facade](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/red-shrine-facade.jpg)
![red shrine dolls](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/red-shrine-dolls.jpg)
![shrine rows dolls](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/shrine-rows-dolls.jpg)
![dolls shrine](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dolls-shrine.jpg)
![close up dolls](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/close-up-dolls.jpg)
![close up doll](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/close-up-doll.jpg)
![doll hair face cover](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/doll-hair-face-cover.jpg)
![pair dolls](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pair-dolls.jpg)
![dolls side view](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dolls-side-view.jpg)
![dolls open door shrine](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dolls-open-door-shrine.jpg)
![kimono dolls outdoors](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kimono-dolls-outdoors.jpg)
![kimono doll close up](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kimono-doll-close-up.jpg)
![elephants outside](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/elephants-outside.jpg)
![elephant close up](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/elephant-close-up.jpg)
![bear ornaments](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/bear-ornaments.jpg)
![creature ornaments](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/creature-ornaments.jpg)
![lucky cats](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lucky-cats.jpg)
![lucky cats close up](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lucky-cats-close-up.jpg)
![animal ornaments](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/animal-ornaments.jpg)
![masks shrine](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/masks-shrine.jpg)
![masks close up](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/masks-close-up.jpg)
![three masks](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/three-masks.jpg)
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